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Yelkei

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  • Location
    Washington DC
  • Application Season
    2015 Fall
  • Program
    Georgetown MSFS

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  1. Previous Schools (Name, type, or tier): Randolph College - Private Liberal Arts College in Lynchburg Va Previous Degrees and GPAs: BA Global Studies - 3.81 GPA GRE Scores (Verbal/Quantitative/Analytical Writing): 161 V/ 149 Q /5.0 AW - left it to the last minute and took it once Previous Work Experience (Years, Type): Worked in Middle East for a few years running a family business, internships at major DC based think tanks focusing on IR Math/Econ Background: Micro/Macro/International Econ courses - Also took two extended courses on Naval architecture (don't ask) Foreign Language Background (if applicable to your program): Fluent Arabic, ILR 2 Farsi, French Intended Field of Study in Grad School: International Security Policy, Global Comparative Politics Long Term Professional Goals: Career Ambassador Schools Applied to & Results: Georgetown MSFS (accepted), GWU Security Policy (accepted)($), SIPA (accepted), Fletcher (accepted)($$), Rangel Fellowship (rejected), Pickering Fellowship (finalist) Ultimate Decision & Why: Georgetown MSFS - Originally was set on Columbia, as I needed that change of scenery. Living in DC for too long takes its toll, and you start itching to get out. But after carefully considering: reputation (GU is consistently top of the charts for grad school), selectivity (GU: about 90 students admitted each year - SIPA is almost 4 times that), academics (I have a good working relationship with a few of the professors and have mapped out my research interests), and alumni and career advising - it was honestly a difficult choice but SFS won out. A lot of what Filmore22 said about wanting to live in NYC but still wanting to go to SFS applies here as well. Although both Fletcher and GWU offered me monetary merit and needs based aid, I still believe GU is the better choice for me. Still waiting for the Pickering interview and exam, so fingers crossed! Advice for Future Applicants: Mirroring what a lot of posts have already mentioned - for the love of God start early! My timeline went exactly like (again) Filmore22's: "The actual timeline went something like, started studying for the GRE in April, did nothing all summer, went back to it in the fall, took GRE in October. After, used Nov. and Dec to frantically write SOP and cover all the paper work, and then submit everything pretty much day of deadline in January." - My experience was pretty much identical - and I suffered for it. My quants grade on the GRE could have been a lot higher, but I was rushed, nervous and unprepared. Don't make that mistake. My personal advice however is to believe in yourself. I've read some profiles on Grad cafe forums and wonder 'How can these people think they won't get into top schools with that kind of resume?' Trust that these universities want diversity and people with potential. That being said, be ready to accept a negative outcome regardless of how much effort you put into an application. Take it as a learning experience. Try again next year, or the year after. The first thing I heard back from was the rejection from the Rangel Fellowship, which put me on a downward trajectory - I was convinced that I wouldn't get accepted anywhere, and almost took a position abroad. A very premature move. Wait till all the cards are on the table before making a choice. Finally, enlist the help of others on this arduous journey - especially those in the target school or program. They have a wealth of information and will give you a lot of feedback on what, where, how and why. Yes, the internet is your friend and you can get a lot of info of it, but being face to face with someone and being able to ask everything and hear it firsthand is invaluable. Use the program or university directory and send a few emails and what to see who responds. You will usually have 3 - 4 kindred spirits who will guide you and really make a difference. Good luck!
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